We’re finally heading towards the end of the cold season, and before you know it you’ll be firing up your AC unit again. Everyone always hopes that their unit will kick back into gear without a hitch, but of course that’s not always the case. There’s also a possibility that your unit will start out the season working fine, only to suddenly stop blowing cool air in the middle of August. Proper AC unit upkeep makes a big difference in your unit’s longevity, but inevitably an issue will arise eventually. And when something does go awry, it’s important to be aware of common issues that can occur with AC units.
This article will go over the most common hallmarks of a malfunctioning AC unit and the problems they often point to, how you can troubleshoot your AC unit at home, and when to call a pro about an issue. How can you know whether your AC unit needs to be repaired or replaced? Read on to find out.
When something is going wrong with your AC unit, in many cases early detection and repair will make a big difference. Often, smaller issues grow into larger, costlier problems over time. AC issues vary in severity, with some being easy repairs, while others pretty much spell the end of your unit.
Here are the biggest signs that your AC unit is in need of repair, or in some cases replacement, and their associated issues:
This is the most obvious symptom that a malfunctioning AC unit will exhibit. This can be caused by several different issues within your unit’s machinery:
If your AC unit vents are hardly blowing any air at all, that means there’s likely some sort of issue with your compressor or ductwork.
Any grinding, screeching, or banging noises from the outdoor unit, or a high-pitched hissing noise from the indoor unit all spell trouble. Some common noises and their causes are:
Your thermostat senses the temperature in your home and adjusts accordingly. If your AC unit isn’t turning on at all, or only running for short periods of time and then shutting off, it could be due to an issue with the thermostat, or the electrical wiring connected to it.
If the air coming from your AC vents smells musty, this could mean there is mold growing somewhere within your system. Breathing in mold spores isn’t healthy, so this type of issue needs to be handled promptly. And if you’re smelling something burning, there may be an electrical or insulation issue. This should also be looked at by a professional.
Of course, increased AC usage leads to higher bills, but if your bill is far higher than anticipated based on how much it normally costs during the summer, it could signal a problem with your ductwork or thermostat.
In some cases, leaks may just be a leaky condensate line, which is not too serious. However, if you notice the leak is a yellow-green liquid or another odd color, call a professional immediately as this means you likely have a refrigerant leak. Though refrigerants are normally colorless and odorless, they are blended with a refrigeration oil that tends to be tinted green. If you’re noticing a dirty, possibly greenish, oily substance leaking out of your unit, call a professional.
The age of your unit is also a contributing factor in how viable a repair is. The average lifespan of an AC unit is about a decade, so if your unit is on the older side and you’re noticing a drop in functionality, it may be time to look for a replacement. Replacing an AC unit can carry a high upfront cost, but in the long run it will be cheaper to get a new one than to keep repairing an old, failing one.
There are some ways you can inspect your unit in order to determine what’s wrong with it. However, if you think your unit’s issues are caused by a refrigerant leak, do not attempt to fix it yourself. The chemicals used for refrigerants are hazardous to both your health and the environment, and should only be handled by a professional. Besides a lack of cool air and oily leakage around the unit, another telltale sign of leaking refrigerant is a bubbling or hissing sound coming from the outdoor unit when it’s not running.
All that being said, if you find your unit isn’t working properly and you don’t think it’s a refrigerant leak, you can try and diagnose the issue by inspecting your unit for noises and leaks and taking a peek at your ductwork. Below are some issues you may be able to remedy on your own:
In some cases, you may be able to fix the problem yourself, but in the majority of cases it’s likely you’ll need to get a pro involved due to the complex electrical wiring and machinery involved in an AC system.
Yearly checkups by a professional and cleaning your AC unit at the start of each cooling season will keep your unit running without issue for as long as possible. But besides your yearly tune-up, there’s one more easy task that you can perform that will increase the longevity of your unit: changing your filters on a monthly basis. A clean filter will allow your unit to run at optimal efficiency, meaning it will use less electricity. It will also help you avoid putting strain on your system, which can result in the need for repairs down the line.
Shop our range of AC filters today to keep your AC unit going strong. And if you’re unsure about which filter is right for your system, get in touch with us today; our team of HVAC experts would be happy to assist you!